Southern counties always had paid refs backed up by two shooters, it didnt make it any better because of it, attitudes came into play.......
If the number of entries was bigger then paying refs would be no problem, so its a six of one and half a dozen of the other, will the entries come if they dont have to ref??
I dont think as many as believed, because people coming from DTL say whom are used to shooting 90+ dont like the feeling of suddenly shooting mid 80's scores, OT is perceived by many as very hard, so they wont give it a go...
Go to Italy for instance, payed refs on all decent shoots as the entries are large and the grounds can afford to do it...
So would it work, who knows......
Bit sad really when this happens, the rules for reff choice, 1st should be a GB or home countries shooter, then it goes down in class after that, but 90% dont know the rules, its to the shooters advantage to know them, it used to be par for the course that you knew them for whatever discipline. I remember being taught second shot misfire drill, and practising it, (when shells were not as good as now).... It just leaves big holes in the grass if you get it wrong.......